(From the Ohio Department of Commerce)

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM)  joined the Findlay Police Department and Findlay Fire Department in presenting checks on behalf of the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee to two Findlay residents for information they provided that helped solve a 2022 arson. (video below)

Due to the nature of the witness accounts provided, Nicholas Bishop received a check for $4,000 and Joseph Cross received a check for $1,500. 

At approximately 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022, Bishop was driving in the area of 233 Bell Ave. in Findlay when he observed dark gray smoke in the sky. After driving to a nearby residence, he observed a large amount of smoke coming from the south side of the building behind an attached garage. After parking on the driveway, Bishop saw an adult female and male carrying bags of personal items from inside the house and placing them inside a red SUV. After asking if they were okay, the individuals did not respond and then rapidly drove away, nearly striking Bishop’s vehicle. At that time, Bishop called 911 for help.

At that same time, Cross heard yelling coming from next door as he observed his neighbors placing items in the back of the SUV. Cross was able to positively identify the adult female and the adult male.

After arriving at the scene, the Findlay Fire Department found flames extending over the south side attached garage roof line, and a second smoldering fire in the yard near the west side of the residence. 

The Findlay Fire Department contacted SFM and the Findlay Police Department to investigate the fires, and it was determined the fires had been intentionally set. Information provided by Bishop and Cross was used to place the adult female at the residence during the time of the fire, and it helped in the prosecution and later conviction of the adult female, who was identified as Heather Gilles. The adult male was not charged in connection with this crime.

About the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee
In 1973, the Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association founded the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee (BRAC) for the purpose of bringing together Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and Insurance Industry Personnel to combat the crime of arson. Since 1978, the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee has sponsored a Reward Fund. A reward of up to $5,000 is provided to the person or persons who come forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for setting fires. 

(From the Hancock County Solid Waste District)

The Hancock County Solid Waste Management District, will be hosting another Household Hazardous Waste & Paint collection event. These collection events will be held monthly during the summer at the Hancock County Fairgrounds, 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay.

This month the collection is scheduled for TUESDAY July 30, 2024 – 1 pm to 6 pm

This HHW event is free for Hancock County Residents (proof of residency required). Household Hazardous Waste & Paint materials will not be accepted from businesses, companies or contractors.

Accepted items include Paints, Stains, Thinners, Aerosols, Mercury, Propane Cylinders, Cleaners, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Acids, Oxidizers, Lead-Acid Batteries, Antifreeze, Motor Oil, and Fuels. For a complete list of scheduled community event guidelines, specifics and other recycling information follow Events on the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District on Facebook or visit the website at www.HancockEnvironment.com .

The free HHW/Paint Collection event is sponsored by the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District in cooperation with ERG Environmental and the Hancock County Fairgrounds. #RememberRecycleRight

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

On July 25, 2024, at approximately 11:55 PM, troopers with the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were on routine patrol when a trooper identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen traveling north on Interstate Route 75. The vehicle was confirmed as stolen by the Lima Police Department. A traffic stop was initiated with the 2017 Chevrolet Impala and the driver of the stolen vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued.

Troopers with the Findlay Post were requested to assist and deployed stop stick devices. The pursuit traveled approximately 11 miles before the suspect vehicle struck the rear of a 2022 Ford F-150 in Eagle Township, southwest of Findlay. The driver of the F-150 pulled to the right berm. The stolen Impala entered the median and rolled over several times, coming to final rest on its top. The driver of the stolen vehicle was taken into custody without further incident.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as Ryan A. Aab, age 16, of Lima. He was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with suspected minor injuries. The driver of the F-150 was identified as Terry W. Hopper, age 47, of Knoxville, Tennessee. There were four passengers in the F-150. None of the occupants claimed injury.

Assisting troopers on scene were the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bluffton Police, D&D Towing, R&A Towing, Hanco EMS and Liberty Township Fire Department. After receiving medical attention at the hospital, Ryan A. Aab was transported to the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center and potential charges will be reviewed by the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office. All of the occupants in both vehicles were reportedly wearing seatbelts. Alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

The Sheriff’s Office has received reports about people that are getting calls regarding missed court dates and asking for amounts of $4,000, claiming they are a Sergeant from the Sheriff’s Office.

THIS IS A SCAM. Please do not give any personal or financial information.

Another person received mail claiming to be a National Sheriff organization, requesting donations for bulletproof vests for law enforcement.

This may or may not be a scam, but we do not receive any funds locally from this organization.

Please be vigilant and research organizations before giving any donations.

(From the City of Findlay)

The courts at Rawson Park (720 River St.) are finished and OPEN!

There is one tennis court and four pickleball courts available on a first-come, first-serve basis from dawn to dusk.

Please remember to treat other park-goers with respect when utilizing this community space.

Other available amenities at Rawson Park:

-Basketball Court

-Lighted Baseball Diamond

-Charcoal Grill

-Picnic Tables

-Playground Equipment

*Renovated bathrooms soon to come!

This project was made possible by the hard work of our Public Works Department. Thanks, team!

(From the Findlay Police Department)

This year’s Flag City Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, August 6th 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Riverside Park near the “Kiddie Corral” off Carnahan Avenue.

For those not familiar, Flag City Night Out is a free, family-friendly event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live.

Flag City Night Out allows the public a chance to interact with safety services (Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMS and others) on a one on one basis and get a look at the equipment they use.

Flag City Night Out also serves to highlight non-profit community programs available in the community and get people in touch with the resources they need.

This year’s event will feature live entertainment, food, demonstrations, children’s activities and train rides.

Area mascots will also be on hand to participate in our 10th Annual Mascot Games, with an intermission for the Police vs. Fire Games where area youth will be paired up with officers and firefighters in a variety of games.

An inflatable obstacle course will be set up to allow children to test their skills, as well as Root Beer floats and snow cones provided by Movement Church and Kona Ice to cool off.

Area non-profit organizations will also be on hand to offer insight into what they do and connect people with resources.

For those that can’t make it, we encourage you to turn on your porch light with a blue bulb.

This is a symbolic gesture to show that you stand unified with area safety services and the fight against crime.

For more information on the National Night Out initiative you can visit https://natw.org/.

We hope to see you on August 6th!

Officer Brian White, Findlay Police Department, Crime Prevention

(From Findlay City Schools)

We are so grateful for this community’s help to “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies for Hancock County students.

A huge amount of our kids receive bright and shiny school supplies for the year because of this!

Thank you.

Families: there are still a few slots available to receive these supplies!

Find the link to register for on our Findlay Opportunities page: https://www.fcs.org/parents-students/findlay-opportunities

Thank you 100.5 WKXA and Rex Howard for having Dr. Hatton on to chat about this amazing program.

McDonald’s, WFIN , WKXA and 106.3 The Fox are joining with area organizations like Christian Clearing House again this year to “Stuff The Bus” with school supplies for local school children in need.

We invite you to stop by McDonald’s on Tiffin Avenue on Thursday and Friday, July 25-26 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 27 from 10 to 2 to donate.

Federally purchased American flags will now be made exclusively in America thanks to new legislation that began in Ohio.

The All-American Flag Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that was introduced by Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

The bill requires that the federal government buy only flags completely produced in America.

“When a flag flies over a post office in Sidney, Ohio or Zanesville or Bowling Green; when a flag drapes over the coffin of a soldier coming to Dover Air Force Base it should be American made.”

Get more on the All-American Flag Act by clicking here.

(From the Findlay Family YMCA)

Swim, run and ride your way to victory! The Findlay Family YMCA will host its annual community Youth Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9-11 a.m. at Riverside Park.

New this year is an All Abilities (AA) Division, providing an empowering opportunity for youth with developmental differences.

With three fun sports – swimming, biking, and running – triathlons offer kids the opportunity to learn and enhance their fitness skills. They also promote the larger goals of developing self-esteem, teamwork, goal setting, self-discipline and friendly competition.

 Open to kids ages 6 through 18, this event is USA Triathlon (USAT) certified and appropriate for all skill levels as both an introduction to sport for beginners and a challenge for the serious competitor. Adult volunteers will be present at locations throughout the race to monitor and assist participants if needed.

 Boys and girls will compete separately in their age groups. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group. Age groups and distances include:

Ages 6-10: 50-yard swim, 1-mile bike, 1K run.

Ages 11-12: 200-yard swim, 4-mile bike, 2K run.

Ages 13-14: 300-yard swim, 8-mile bike, 3K run.

Ages 15-18: 500-yard swim, 12-mile bike, 5K run.

AA Division ages 8-12: 50-yard swim, 1-mile bike, 1K run.

AA Division ages 13-18: 50-yard swim, 1-mile bike, 2K run.

The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 5. Participants must first register as a member with USAT. Visit their site at https://member.usatriathlon.org/register. The cost for membership is approximately $10. Once you have registered with USAT, make note of your USAT registration number and then register for the triathlon on the YMCA’s website at www.findlayymca.org/register-programs, under “special programs.” The entry fee is $25.

Every athlete will receive a finisher’s medal, a race T-shirt (register by Aug. 3 to guarantee your shirt size), snacks, and plaques for the top three finishers in every age group for boys and girls. Each participant will also be entered in a raffle for some great prizes!

 For more information, race routes and registration links, visit www.findlayymca.org/events/2024-youth-triathlon.

 To volunteer at this year’s Youth Triathlon, email Sierra Hutton, YMCA development director, at shutton@findlayymca.com; or access the sign-up sheet at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA8AB28A6F9C16-findlay#/

 Presenting sponsors include Blanchard Valley Health System, ACI, and Automated Logic. Other sponsors include Kreate, Commercial Comfort Systems, Northrich Company, Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Gasser Bush Associates.

A jury has found a man guilty of having illegal drugs in his vehicle when he was pulled over in Hancock County.

Keon L. Rutledge was convicted of possession of drugs, a second-degree felony, in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

The 43-year-old from Dayton will be sentenced in September.

In May of 2023 Rutledge was stopped on Interstate 75 in Hancock County.

Authorities say a probable cause search warrant for his vehicle was obtained because the trooper smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, which was still illegal at the time.

The Highway Patrol said it found more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in the trunk of his vehicle.

Rutledge’s sentencing hearing will be held on September 17 and he faces up to eight years in prison.